Technology-Supported Collaboration for Classroom Teachers

1. Technology-Supported Collaboration for Classroom Teachers Joyce Flatt, Ed Technologist Ft. Benning Schools

2. What is technology-supported collaboration? • Supports classroom instruction in special areas • Provides additional resources for classroom teachers • Allows for opportunities for teachers to share ideas and plan together

3. Helps teachers reinforce key concepts with students Allows chances for more individualized instruction Saves classroom teachers time Provides an opportunity for collaborative lesson planning Allows time for sharing ideas Diminishes the feeling of “isolation” Increases the chances for technology integration Why is collaboration important to teachers?

4. Provides reinforcement across the curriculum Allows more chances for remediation Increases opportunities for technology integration Provides chances for more “in-depth” activities Why is collaboration important to students?

5. Components • Email • Regularly scheduled meetings • Software • Special Area support • Web site and internet support • Administration support

6. Monthly requests sent to classroom teachers Requests emailed to collaboration “chair person” These requests are forwarded to collaboration team using distribution list Meeting reminders are sent to team Team members may send URLs directly to teachers requesting information Additional information may be requested from team members Email

7. Must be scheduled Must be focused Must be brief Must be organized Team members Collaboration session Additional requests Documentation Regularly Scheduled Meetings

8. Software • Microsoft products: Outlook and Access • Literacy focus: Inspiration, Amazing Writing Machine, Publisher • Web Page: Publisher

9. Special Area Support • Additional practice • Extension of concepts • Integration of concepts • Remediation opportunities • Technology integration

10. Each classroom has a web page Related links can be updated easily Easy for teachers and students to use Excellent PR for teachers Allows school to share the good things happening Keeps parents in touch Web site and internet support

11. Principal attends collaboration meetings Provides collaboration input along with the rest of the team Included on the team email distribution list Receives a monthly report of collaborative efforts by staff members Recognizes team members for their efforts Shares highlights with district personnel Administration support

12. Gifted Music Art PE Media Center Special Ed. Lesson Planning Technology Staff Development Community Examples of Collaboration Projects

13. Gifted • Oreo project • Advanced math • Integration of higher level thinking skills

14. Performing Arts • Reader’s theater • Radio plays • Songs • WDEX segments • iMovies

15. Art • Poster contests • Native American projects

16. Special Education • Remediation help • ADHD help • Small group help

17. Physical Education • PE “Enrichment” • Additional practice • Technology integration • Brain based learning • Sign language • Cupstacking • Juggling

18. Media Center • Reading to classes • Providing media resource lists to teachers • Small group instruction • Help with Reading Counts

19. Lesson Planning • Interdisciplinary units • Technology integrated units • Opportunities for student collaboration

20. Technology • Staff development • Web page use • Student technology skills • “Safety net” for teachers • Greater technology use

21. Building Community Collaboration • Collaboration between classes • Collaboration between schools • Collaboration within the community